How much sun does Duckweed need?

Duckweed grows best in part shade conditions.

When does Duckweed bloom?

Duckweed blooms in April, May, and June.

Where is Duckweed native?

Duckweed (Lemna minor) is native to AL, AR, AZ, CA and 44 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.

Is Duckweed toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Duckweed as toxic to livestock.

Is Duckweed HOA-friendly?

Duckweed takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Duckweed

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Lemna minor

Last reviewed: August 2026

Toxicity unknown

Duckweed (Lemna minor) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Duckweed as toxic to livestock.

Light

part shade

Water

high

Size

0.1"–0.5" H × 1"–4" W

Bloom

Apr, May, Jun

Native to

AL, AR, AZ, CA and 44 more states

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Puget Lowland Marine West Coast Forest Northwestern Forested Mountains Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Central California Valley Southern California Mountains North American Deserts Central Basin and Range Southern Rockies Arizona/New Mexico Mountains Chihuahuan Deserts High Plains Southwestern Tablelands Central Great Plains Great Plains Cross Timbers Texas Blackland Prairies East Central Texas Plains Western Gulf Coastal Plain South Central Plains Ozark Highlands Central Irregular Plains Northwestern Glaciated Plains Northwestern Great Plains Piedmont Northern Glaciated Plains Western Corn Belt Plains Northern Forests Northern Lakes and Forests North Central Hardwood Forests Driftless Area Southeastern Wisconsin Till Plains Central Corn Belt Plains Eastern Corn Belt Plains Southern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift Plains Huron/Erie Lake Plains Northeastern Highlands Northeastern Coastal Zone Northern Allegheny Plateau Erie Drift Plain Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain Northern Piedmont Southeastern Plains Ridge and Valley Central Appalachians Western Allegheny Plateau Interior River Valleys and Hills Mississippi Alluvial Plain Southern Coastal Plain Madrean Archipelago Sonoran Basin and Range Acadian Plains and Hills Eastern Great Lakes Lowlands Atlantic Coastal Pine Barrens Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

Duckweed is a tiny floating aquatic plant that forms dense mats on the surface of ponds, lakes, and slow-moving water. Each plant consists of a small oval leaf pad about the size of a fingernail. It reproduces rapidly and can quickly cover entire water surfaces.

In an HOA neighborhood

Duckweed takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: high. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Aquatic plant only suitable for water features
Can become invasive and cover entire pond surfaces
Not appropriate for typical residential landscaping

Wildlife value

Duckweed provides food for waterfowl, fish, and aquatic insects. It also offers shelter for small aquatic creatures and helps oxygenate water bodies.

Common questions

How much sun does Duckweed need?: Duckweed grows best in part shade conditions.
When does Duckweed bloom?: Duckweed blooms in April, May, and June.
Where is Duckweed native?: Duckweed (Lemna minor) is native to AL, AR, AZ, CA and 44 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
Is Duckweed toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Duckweed as toxic to livestock.
Is Duckweed HOA-friendly?: Duckweed takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

Ready to grow Duckweed? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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